Man who crashed into police cruiser gets 9 months

Terrance Hill of Allentown eligible for release next month

July 18, 2011|By Arlene Martínez, Of The Morning Call

An Allentown man who in November crashed into a police cruiser and then led authorities on a foot chase was sentenced to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from that incident and an earlier one involving a fight.

Terrance Hill, 31, must also pay $9,783 to the Allentown Police Department for damage to the vehicle and a yet undetermined amount for the medical expenses of David Manning, whom he punched in the face following an altercation in January 2010.

Hill on Monday pleaded guilty to simple assault, aggravated assault and driving under the influence before Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony.

On Nov. 10, police attempted to pull Hill over because they identified his sport-utility vehicle as one that may have been involved in an earlier call of shots fired. At first, Hill didn't realize police were following him but when he noticed them he tried to stop, he said in court.

The vehicle chase ended near Ridge Avenue and American Parkway, police said, when Hill slammed first into a vehicle and then a police cruiser driven by officer Ray Ferraro. Ferraro was not injured.

Hill jumped out of the car and ran, only to be quickly caught.

Hill had earlier run into problems when on Jan. 16, 2010, he fought with Manning over a young woman. Police were called to the 400 block of Liberty Street and found Manning on the street with head wounds and skull fractures. Hill admitted punching Manning after the two men squared up to fight. Manning looked ready to hit him, Hill said.

Because Hill has a prior record that includes convictions on gun and drug charges in New York, Anthony questioned whether he should allow Hill to serve the remainder of his term in Lehigh County or state prison. But with little opposition from Chief Deputy District Attorney Jay Jenkins, Anthony relented

"It was a bad decision on my part to ever flee and I apologize," Hill said.

Hill, who has been locked up since November, is eligible for release next month.